Chapter 8: Party Pink, Party hard!
Ranma was currently trying to figure out yet again how on earth had had gotten talked into coming to a party, let alone a Pink Themed Party. Sighing he looked down at his garb and hang his head. He was currently dressed in a pink tee shirt, pink accented pants with pink belt, and pink accented sneakers. “How did I get talked into this?” Ranma said to himself.
-Yesterday-
Ranma and James had just finished one of the most interesting school days they’ve ever had. For first period, Music Class, it was just listening to classical music and talking about the piece. No homework. Second period, History, was just a movie documentary on the Panama Cannel. Art was the next period and was actually just talk about the famous artist Leonardo Da Vinci. Both had no homework either. Math was a simple game of Math Bingo where the questions where read randomly and you had the find the answer on the card. Everyone still got graded on it but it was fun and the winners got coupons for Cider the Apple Family made, mostly buy one get one free and only limited to one win. All the classes where fun and interesting till PE where to Ranma’s shock we and the others were actually set to work on the gym… decorating it! In Pink! Once PE was over everyone was allowed to return home.
“Okay… what’s going on James.” Ranma said catching up to his friend on his bike. “Seems the Pink one is setting up yet another party.” James replied sighing. “Pink one?” Ranma asked curious. “I say her name she’ll pop up. Trust me Ranma DO NOT say her name today. You won’t like it.” James said plainly. “Right… Look just tell me what’s going on.” Ranma said as they turned towards their normal route to Cliff’s shop. “Sigh, alright but don’t forget I warned you beforehand.” James said gaining a nod from Ranma. “Okay. Each year a certain someone in our school holds a theme party this same time, every time, every year. Last year the theme was Classical and you had to literally dress that way and act that way too but ugh it went downhill fast because of the host’s… reputation. I know because I got caught by the host and invited. The host is persistent, I mean really persistent. You don’t go, bad things happen. BAD THINGS.”
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Pinkie was bouncing on her toes the entire time she was in the center of the square passing out invites. She had already handed her friends their invites after school but now she needed to get more since it was in the school’s gym. She knew exactly who she wanted to invite to the party and was determined to do so. She was going to get Ranma and/or Ranko to come to the party! She just had to find one of them and invite them. Normally she wouldn’t do this but she was determined to welcome Ranma to Coltsville no matter what so she triple checked the route James Ranma or Ranko would take home and memorized it greatly. All she had to do was wait for Ranma or Ranko to show up and had one of them the invitation. She did however keep to one promise she made to herself. She was NOT going to be persistent this year. Nope because doing so would be mean and rude, also she wanted to make a new friend and she loved making new friends. She almost messed that up last year with James. She just couldn’t bear being so uptight and classical for the entire night. She even got a lecture from her DJ friend the former famous DJ PON-3, also known as Vinyl Scratch, after her bit of hyper activeness during the party.
Vivian, as Vinyl was now called, really laid into her for what she had done and could even remember the lecture word for word.
-Flashback-
Once the party had ended, in disaster Pinkie turned to say good bye to her friend and clean the mess up herself since she did make it, yet Vivian had other plans and walked right up to her ticked. “What was wrong with you Pink?!” Pinkie stepped back at this. “Vi, I’m not sure…” Vivian stepped forward mad. “You know exactly what you did Pink! You promised me you wouldn’t messed this up for me and look what you’ve done!” She said gesturing to the room. Everything that was Classical based was either ruined or destroyed beyond repair, especially a certain cello owned by the musician for the night, the former Earth pony cello player Octavia. “Not only did you ruin the party you ruined Ta-Octavia’s Cello! She won’t even talk to me now because of this. Thanks to you I… I…” Vivian just sat down and dropped her headphones and shades on the floor.
“Vi, I… I’m so sorry I didn’t…” Pinkie tried to say before Vivian just broke done. “She hates me! All I’ve done, all I’ve tried, everything down the drain thanks to you! Now I can’t… tell… her… I love her.” The last came out in a full blown wail. Pinkie’s eyes widened. She never knew that Vi had her eyes on Octavia. “Vi. Oh Vi what have I done. I’m so, so, sorry, please let me make it up…” Vivian just looked Pinkie in the eyes with hurt and anger. “Don’t talk to me! EVER!” at this Vivian ran forgetting her glasses and her headphones. Pinkie never felt so alone or as bad in her life.
-End Flashback-
The next morning after that party Pinkie used up all her savings to have Octavia’s Cello repaired and even went as far as make fully accurate Pony Figures along with correct play-sets and accessories along with a note saying sorry to both. She was forgiven but swore to them and James to never do what she had done ever again. Even James was upset about it since she pressured him into coming. This time it was up to Ranma or Ranko to come and if they didn’t come, that was fine because she wanted to make friends right. So for now, Pinkie was going to wait patiently and be nice about the invite and not pester those she invited. She was going to be a good girl and make her friends and her family proud.
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Mrs. Cake sighed as she looked at the clock and calendar. Tonight was Pinkie’s Pink Party at the school and she had to make sure everything was set up right for it and hoped her daughter would behave this year. Last year she had to help calm her down before she and her husband could help her. They took her to the music house, a store for instrument retail and repair, then to Cliff’s for the other half of the needed gifts to help their friendship return. She just hoped and prayed that these two people she was going to invite where going to be nice. For now she had cupcakes to finish. “Now Pound be nice to your sister.” Mr. Cake said to his son who was currently being chased around the store front by his sister Pumpkin. They didn’t wish to change the children’s names do to their young ages and confuse them when they returned home to Equestria, whenever that was. “Give her back!”
“Nope! Can’t catch me!” The twins yelled back and forward as they ran with Pumpkin getting more and more upset by the moment. Sighing Mr. Cake waited and caught his son as he ran past. “Okay Pound that’s enough. Give back your sister her toy.” Pound frowned and after being put down handed back a very cute looking stuffed pony toy. “Sorry.” He said handing it back. “She not hurt?” Pumpkin said taking and handing the toy over to her father. Mr. Cake looked the toy over carefully and nodded. “She’s fine sweetie. Now go on up and play in your room.” The nodded and ran upstairs though Pumpkin was skipping instead of running. The Pony toy was made and given to her by her big sister Pinkie when she was only five and the family knew it was very special and very important to her. The pony was made to look like Pinkie herself but like the young Cake it didn’t have a Cutie Mark and Pinkie promised when she gained it she’s put it on. “Sigh, kids.” Mr. Cake said smiling gaining a kiss from his wife.
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Ranma, or Ranko as she was currently do to yet another sprinkler, was still spooked by what James had told her earlier. Popping out of closets, random rooms, stores, clothes baskets, it was just insane and a bit frightening. Having had experience with Prince Kuno she took these words to heart. For a moment she worried if Pinkie was possibly related to the Kuno Clan but that was put to the side after meeting and learning about Pinkie from them. It wasn’t much but it confirmed her belief that Pinkie wasn’t mean spirited, no, she was just a bit overly hyper. “Hi!” Ranko instant fell off her bike. “Ah!” Ranko groaned as someone quickly came over to her. “Oh no, I’m so sorry, you’re not hurt are you, I didn’t mean to scare you so bad that you fell off you bike and get hurt, I’m so, so, so, sorry, please forgive me.” Ranko had to process all this before she looked up to see, Pinkie Cake and she looked pretty worried. Not like James had described earlier as being super hyper active, though did have to admit she did smell quite a bit like cotton candy and cake.
“Um, no I’m fine. It’s okay I was just surprised that’s all. Um, yeah I forgive you it was an honest mistake.” Ranko replied as she finally got all of what was said processed. “Oh good. I mean all I did was say Hi then you were all like, Ah, and you fell over and I was like, oh no you’re not hurt are you, so I came over and I’m so glad you not hurt, because that be really bad if you got hurt and it was my fault. All I wanted to do was stop you for a moment and give you this invitation for tonight’s party but I think I’ll put it off till tomorrow so I better let my friends know this way they can tell everyone else I invited that it’ll be tomorrow. Oh and it’s a theme party so you might want to know that it’s a Pink party so you have to come dressed in pink or at least have pink on you because well it’s a theme party and if you’re not in the theme it’ll throw the part off and we really don’t want that right so if you want to come please come but if you don’t want to you don’t have to because it’s your choice to come or not but you and your brother are invited so I’m really hoping either of you will come but no matter what I would like to be your friend so will you be my friend?” Pinkie said all in one breath.
Ranko had to blink in amazement at how one girl could get over five to six sentences out in one single breath, and so quickly that it took Ranko a full min to process what was said before ever answering. Slowly running each sentence through her head she finally came down to her needed answer. “Um well… we’ll think about the party, and um thank you for giving us the time to do so. And it’s a Pink theme party?” Pinkie nodded quickly. “Um okay. And well…” Ranko thought over the previous actions that had just happened closely. The girl before her had scared the living day lights out of her yet she was very concerned she may have gotten hurt from it. She then apologized for scaring her and was actually scared she had hurt her. Last person who did that too her didn’t really care nor even apologized for doing it till after the failed wedding. And that person was Shampoo, a Chinese Amazon who… well thinking on it for a bit, did become much friendlier after becoming an Ally.
She looked to the girl, smiling at her with a look of sad hope and after sighing smiled at her. “And I’d love to be your friend. I’m Ranko Cloudsdale.” She held her hand out to Pinkie who after gave a look of shock then pure happiness took the hand and helped her new friend up. “I’m Pinkie Cake. I’m so glad we’re friends.” Pinkie said smiling. “Same and trust me on this Pinkie if I’m your friend then so is my brother.” Ranko said pinking up her bike then she looked around worried. “Oh no!” Pinkie looked to her friend worried. “What’s wrong?” Ranko searched all over with her eyes as she explained. “I just bought a new figure from Cliff’s shop and the bag’s gone! I’m not even sure if I fell on it and it got smashed.” Pinkie gasped at this and helped her look around till… “Hey I think I found it!” Pinkie said from a bush holding up a shopping bag. “Let me see.” Ranko said kindly as she helped Pinkie out of the bush. Pinkie handed the bag over and Ranko looked inside smiling. Inside was her new Unicorn pony figure along with the items she felt matched her newest friend and study partner, Sparkle Sunset.
“Thank you Pinkie, it’s all here and safe. Thank you.” Ranko said smiling. Pinkie smiled back. “You’re welcome, well I better get home and let mom and dad know that I’m putting the party off till tomorrow. Hope to see one of you there. Later!” Ranko waved at her newest happy go lucky friend and sighed. “What have I gotten myself into?” Ranko asked herself.
-Today-
Ranma sighed as he tried his best to mingle with the crowd. At least Sparkle was here, dressed in a bit darker pink, and she seemed fine with the whole thing, even going so far as dancing with a few girls he didn’t know. Even the DJs where in pink and not fazed by it. Both we’re pretty well known and in his Music Class. The tall lean girl with blue dyed hair and similar clothed to his own yet with a pair of what looked to be knuckle dusters along with pink trimmed and accented headphones was Vivian Scratch. She was more of a rocker than a natural musician and was a pro when it came to the disk tables. Ranma had a few of her personal recordings at home to listen to that James and Sparkle had gotten for him after they talked about and with her. Next to her was Octavia, a tall, lean, dark haired girl with a passion for classical music that was so defined that it literally showed in her music. She played the Cello and sadly not much else, even though Miss Lyra did try to teach her the Violin and many other string instruments.
Normally she wore a uniform like he had seen numerous times back home, similar to a business suit but a bit less classy. Tonight she had let her hair down or so the saying goes. She still had her Cello with her but this time it was plugged into Vivian’s equipment and made some amazing music. She was also dressed like your average teenager instead of a snobbish grad student. She was in a reverse version of Vivian and Ranma clothing which instead of the clothed being blue with pink trim it was pink with blue trim. Still Ranma wished the girl would lighten up a bit more as she still had on her trademark bowtie like collar around her throat.
“So, liking the party?” Ranma heard beside him. He turned and found Pinkie literally decked out in pure pink. Pink shoes, pink jeans, pink belt, pink belt buckle, pink tee shirt, pink vest, pink fingernails, pink make-up, the works. She was just… pink! “Um, yeah. Sorry sis couldn’t come but um who knows maybe she’ll show up later.” Ranma said carefully. “Great! Oh and you so have to try the punch and then the main even for the night, Karaoke! Oh it’s going to be so much fun.” Pinkie said happily. “Hey Pinkie, you going to dance with us or what?!” Both looked up to see a rainbow colored haired girl wave at them. “Coming! Hope you sister comes.” Pinkie said waving back to the girl. “Um right, oh and um, I might have to step out later. Chores.” Ranma said carefully again. “Oh sure. Take care Ranma!” Pinkie said as she rejoined the group.
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“Boy Pinkie do you think you pulled your theme off right?” Rainbow joked. “Yep!” Pinkie said right back. “So you got Ranma to come huh?” Twilight asked as she came back with some… water? “Yep and where you get the water?” Pinkie asked looking at her friend. “Oh, well I brought them because… I walked here remember. With Jackie and Summer. We needed something on the way here and we didn’t drink them all.” Twilight tried to explain with offending her friend. She knew of Pinkie’s punch and did her best to stay away from the stuff. “Oh, okay.” Pinkie said returning to the dance floor with Rarity and Applejack. “Close one.” Rainbow said taking her bottle. “Yeah, I mean I don’t want to hurt her feelings but that punch of hers it way too…” Twilight tried to come up with the right word for it. “Sugary?” Rainbow tried. “More like, powerful.”
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Ranko sighed as she noticed she wasn’t seen changing genders yet again. Having to use the bathroom to change this time was not what she wanted to tempt but she had very little choice. Luckily no one saw her leave the men’s room and join the party. She was still wearing the same clothes her male form had on but she did make a few changes. She now wore a dark pink hair tie in her hair and she now had pink knuckle dusters on. She also added a bit of make-up she had just learned to get on after several attempts. The newer American brand items where much different to put on then back home when she was trying to fool Ryoga but this time she was glad for Sparkle’s help in it. She now just wore the simple stuff and kept it at that. She had a bit of pink blush on as well as bright pink lip gloss. It wasn’t bad but she still had to remember she was really a guy. It was just another part of her need to stay hidden and safe while in America.
Thirsty and a bit hungry she slowly made her way towards the refreshment table never knowing what danger was hidden right in the middle of it. The Punch bowl.
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Fluttershy sighed as she stayed near the refreshment table. She came only because Pinkie said Ranko might show up. Might being the main word for the night. She looked down at her clothing and pulled out her compact and checked herself over once again. She was in her normal sweater and long skirt but it was no longer yellow and brown. No, tonight the sweater was as pink as her long hair and her long skirt was now blue with pink accents. She even went as far as added small dark pink hair butterfly clips to her hair. She was also wearing make-up that she had Rarity help her out with but kept the compact on her just in case she need to touch up her make up. Finally putting it down pleased she was still in no need of such touch ups she gasped silently at who she saw at the table next to her, Ranko.
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Ranko sighed after she ate a full dozen of the delicious looking cupcakes. She knew she shouldn’t have but after one bite she just couldn’t resist. However she so needed a drink and the only thing here to drink was the punch. She grabbed a small cup of the drink and quickly took a test sip then drank the whole cup gaining another. Whatever was in the punch, it was way too good to pass up or stop drinking.
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Fluttershy’s eyes widen in fear as her Ranko had not one but four full cups of Pinkie’s famous punch. She wanted to warn her but… she cursed her shyness. “Time for Karaoke Everyone!” Pinkie’s voice called out over the microphone. Fluttershy gulped and hoped she wasn’t called first like the last few times. Sure she had a lovely singing voice but she didn’t like doing it in front of large crowds much. “Let’s change it up today everyone and ask our newest resident Ranko to singe for us!” Fluttershy turned deep red from this. Ranko, the Ranko right next to her, was going to sing?
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Ranko looked up from her fifth cup of punch and blinked. They wanted her to sing? Looking around she gulped and nodded walking up to the mike and the flat screen TV that would show the words. She looked through the list of songs and found one she liked. It was some song calledReal Emotion from a game called Final Fantasy X-2. Breathing she brought the mike up and sang.
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Twilight, Pinkie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Fluttershy where all floored along with Vinyl and Octavia. Not only was Ranko singing to the song she was dancing to it like a pro. “Whoa…” Was all Rainbow could say with widened eyes as the girls all nodded except for Fluttershy. She slowly sat down and watched the redhead enjoy herself on the stage that once held Vinyl’s equipment for the karaoke gear. Once done everyone in the gym called for an encore. She was just too good to let her step down now.
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Ranko finished the song with a sigh and soon heard her fellow students calling out over and over, “Encore! Encore!” Ranko soon blushed and slowly nodded after gesturing for a bit more punch that somehow Pinkie got her. How she moved so fast was a true mystery but sighing and drinking her drink she moved onto another good song on the list. It was called All About Us by tatu. After that one she really started to get into it, and the punch, and soon sang Remedy by Little Boots, which started to worry Vinyl a bit but Ranko put it off as nothing. With each some the tone got louder and louder causing Vinyl and Octavia to become even more scared for some reason. She kept singing and drinking punch till she hit the song Melt by none other than the famed Vocaloid Hatsune Miku.
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Celestia and Luna where currently in Celestia’s home having a nice cup of tea till. BOOM! “What in Equestria was that?!” they both yelled at the same time as they soon found not only their cups were shatters but anything that was made of glass as well was shattered.
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Ranko coughed as the smoke cleared from the gym. “Oops.” Every speaker, every glass including Vinyl’s own glasses, where shatters and broken. “Um, sorry about that everyone. I guess I sung a few notes too high.” She said to everyone as she scratched the base of her ponytail. Everyone just nodded slowly.
To be continued